The Advantages & Disadvantages Of Nanny Cams

Nanny cams can give parents peace of mind when they’re away from home. They can be hidden or installed in plain sight to monitor the nanny and children’s activities and behaviors. While some see as it as helpful, others may see it as an invasion of privacy or an uncomfortable situation.

Of course, there are rules and regulations in place to combat these issues. Recording a video of anything that happens in your home is legal, however, you must have a legitimate reason for doing it. Monitoring your baby or caregiver falls into that category, but regardless of whether the surveillance camera is hidden or not, they must be located in public areas of the house such as the kitchen or living room. Video recording in areas where there is an expectation of privacy (such as the bathroom or your bedroom) is not permitted.

When it comes to audio recording, you must inform and get the consent of the person being recorded. Because of this, often times nanny cams do not record audio. If you do record a video with audio that has evidence of abuse, the footage would be inadmissible in court and you could be liable for breaking privacy laws.

With that said, if used appropriately and within legal limitations, nanny cams can be a useful tool for parents. If you are considering installing a nanny cam, here are some of the pros and cons.

Pros

• Peace Of Mind
  Especially with new parents, it can be hard leaving your children in someone else’s care. With a nanny cam, you can ease your worries by checking in on your children to see that they are safe.
• Nanny Behavior
  If your children are young, they may not be able to tell you what is happening while you’re away. You can’t always rely on feedback from friends and neighbors who may see your children and nanny together at the park or school. The nanny cam allows you to monitor behavior and address any issues accordingly.
• Connection
  For parents who feel guilty for going back to work and missing quality time with their children, nanny cams can enable them to feel more of a connection as they can periodically check in and see what their kids are up to.

Cons

• Trust
  Aside from privacy issues, the person being recorded may feel violated or offended if they find a hidden camera. To combat this issue, it’s best if you are upfront and honest about your plans to install a nanny cam. Most nannies are comfortable working in the presence of a nanny cam.
• Misuse
  Your nanny cam should be used to deter or prevent potential neglect or abuse, not used to capture it. Communicate your expectations and take action if you feel something isn’t right.
• Legalities
  As mentioned, you must abide by the law. Look into your state’s laws regarding privacy and recording and be sure that your nanny cams and surveillance system are in compliance.

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Need help choosing the right nanny cam or surveillance system for you? Contact us at 888-203-6294 and we will be happy to discuss your options. You may also browse our stock of IP security cameras and other surveillance equipment online at SecurityCamExpert.com.